Lithium batteries for power tools

[Bill_Bright]

It generally does, but float charging a LiPo as it naturally leaks charge is not super good for longevity.

I agree but I am not talking about float charging - though your point actually applies.

What I am saying is today's portable devices and/or their chargers are smart devices and by design, the chargers "should" stop charging and the batteries "should" stop accepting a charge once fully charged. This means "in theory" there is no reason to unplug once fully charged. In fact, that's exactly the point for having a "float" charger vs a "trickle" charger. The float charger is "intelligent!" and will not harm the battery - by design - if it stays connected full time (again, "in theory").

We've seen this played out all the time when users report they never unplug their laptops. I myself left mine plugged in for months at a time for my 11 year old 17 inch Toshiba A505 laptop. The original battery was still working fine when I retired the whole laptop. Yeah, the runtime dropped from ~3 hours to about ~2, but that's to be expected for any battery as it ages.

The problem is, "Man" is not perfect. And until "Man" can create perfection 100% of the time, there will always be devices (either the tool, or the charger, or both in this scenario) that have a manufacturing (and/or programming) defect. And in my opinion, that is exactly why the lawyers for the manufacturers insist the safety documentation for all portable devices say to unplug when fully charged. It is NOT to prolong the life of the device. It is to keep the company from getting sued when a defective battery catches fire and burns down the house!

Also, all batteries lose charge when sitting unused on the shelf - some more than others.

 

[maxfly]

I agree but I am not talking about float charging - though your point actually applies.

What I am saying is today's portable devices and/or their chargers are smart devices and by design, the chargers "should" stop charging and the batteries "should" stop accepting a charge once fully charged. This means "in theory" there is no reason to unplug once fully charged. In fact, that's exactly the point for having a "float" charger vs a "trickle" charger. The float charger is "intelligent!" and will not harm the battery - by design - if it stays connected full time (again, "in theory").

We've seen this played out all the time when users report they never unplug their laptops. I myself left mine plugged in for months at a time for my 11 year old 17 inch Toshiba A505 laptop. The original battery was still working fine when I retired the whole laptop. Yeah, the runtime dropped from ~3 hours to about ~2, but that's to be expected for any battery as it ages.

The problem is, "Man" is not perfect. And until "Man" can create perfection 100% of the time, there will always be devices (either the tool, or the charger, or both in this scenario) that have a manufacturing (and/or programming) defect. And in my opinion, that is exactly why the lawyers for the manufacturers insist the safety documentation for all portable devices say to unplug when fully charged. It is NOT to prolong the life of the device. It is to keep the company from getting sued when a defective battery catches fire and burns down the house!

Also, all batteries lose charge when sitting unused on the shelf - some more than others.

I have never taken my batteries off the charger. They are always ready to go and once charged, the charger shuts off.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I have never taken my batteries off the charger. They are always ready to go and once charged, the charger shuts off.

And chances are this will never be a problem either because that is exactly how they were designed and are supposed to work. Your local fire department may publish safety guidelines that suggest you do otherwise. But I bet, if you look in their homes, they keep them plugged in too!

 

[erocker]

I'm still on air/corded tools like I have been for 30 years. I have a couple Milwaukee battery tools for getting into tight places like a 1/4" ratcheting drive. I prefer air tools... They can be rebuilt and will last longer than I will.

If I were to switch to all battery, it would be Milwaukee over others due to having a better warranty.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

I can say that the only Milwaukee tool I have seen break down was a drill used most days for several years at a chemical plant. And it was in much better condition than the (couple of years older) Makita set there.

If you go battery and use them a lot, expect your batteries to break down over many years. It just happens.

 

[Shrek]

I've never taken one a part but I'd guess any motor would have/ need brushes they still need current transfer to operate.

How could I have missed it... a computer fan is a brushless DC motor.

 

[Deleted member 185158]

I use this about daily. Pretty new this year. 1/4" impact from Matco tools.

I'm not sure if it's Matco in house build or if the source out like they do with IR and slap their names on it.

I slap it on the charge when needed, can get quite a bit of use from it, usually all day doing motor tear downs. Has good torque, I like it. Also have the 3/8s drive version that uses the same battery. I use that one a little more often for the extra nut busting torque.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Spoiler: Don't do it

I use that one a little more often for the extra nut busting torque.

So you can't get nut-busting torque with just your hand?

 

[Deleted member 185158]

Spoiler: Don't do it

So you can't get nut-busting torque with just your hand?

Well it was fun to type out,

Spoiler: Hands? don't be a tool

but being married I use her hand instead